Action to be taken against overloaded launches ahead of Eid

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) is going to take stern action against the launches overloaded with passengers from the 21st of Ramadan.brThis was stated at a meeting in the BIWTA conference room in the city Tuesday, reports UNB. brChaired by BIWTA Chairman Abdul Mannan Hawlader, the meeting was attended, among others, by Shipping Director General AKM Shafiullah, acting president of Bangladesh Inland Water Passenger Carriers Association (BIWPCA) Badiuzzaman Badal and senior officials of BIWTA and BIWPCA.brThe BIWTA Chairman said, No launches will be allowed to carry passengers on its top deck as we want all home-bound passengers to reach their destinations safely and timely.brThe meeting decided to brief the launch masters about the decision and to deploy volunteers alongside the law enforcers at the launch terminals to maintain discipline there ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr.brLaunches will not be allowed to anchor in midstream of the River Buriganga. Launch masters will anchor their launches only on the northern side of the river.brThe number of existing pontoons and gangways will be increased before the Eid, which will be deployed at the specific launch routes.brThe meeting asked the officials concerned to hang the chart of the launch fare. It also asked the launch masters to leave the terminal soon after the port officers ask them to leave.